Escaped Nelson Prisoner Sought

Police are seeking 24 year old Nelson man Hayden James RANGIHUNA who escaped from custody at the Nelson District Court today.

RANGIHUNA, had been remanded in custody on numerous charges, escaped by using the identity of another prisoner who was being granted bail.

He ran from the Court House and initial Police enquiries failed to locate him.

RANGIHUNA is described as a 24 year old fair skinned male Maori, thin build, approx 175cm tall.

He was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and white Nike shoes with red laces.

He has a distinctive tattoo in red ink on the right side of his neck with the words 'And what !'

He also has the name 'Silias' tattooed on the back of his neck.

Police are seeking help from the public to locate RANGIHUNA and request anybody with information as to his whereabouts to contact Police urgently.